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Lauren Hakimi
Lauren Hakimi
Lauren Hakimi is a journalist whose work has appeared in The Forward, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, New York Jewish Week, WNYC/Gothamist and more. She graduated from CUNY Hunter College with degrees in history and English literature. Hailing from an Iranian Jewish community on Long Island, she looks forward to shining a light on stories that matter to the Jewish community. Follow her on Twitter @lauren_hakimi.

Articles by 

Lauren Hakimi

Health
March 4, 2024

Kiryas Joel school to pay $300,000 fine for admitting unvaccinated students

After facing possible fines in tens of millions of dollars, school officials reached an agreement with the DOH by promising increased cooperation

Business
March 1, 2024

For a fee, a new institute will offer rabbinic workplace consulting and a compliance certificate

Business owners who subscribe to the Avoda Kahalacha service will receive a “Certificate of Responsibility” to demonstrate compliance with the strictest modesty guidelines

Courts
February 27, 2024

Bitter feud between politically-connected Satmar brothers devolves into public legal contest

Joel and Abraham Friedman, both prominent community liaisons and chaplains to law enforcement, are now in court trading accusations of “defamation” and “jealousy”

Media
February 23, 2024

Fact-check: ‘Der Blatt’ publishes fake letter from state police about lights and sirens

The fraudulent document, which had circulated on social media, claimed to be about an “enforcement initiative” from the New York State Police

Health
February 23, 2024

Kiryas Joel school could be fined up to $61 million due to unvaccinated students

The school allowed 121 students to attend school unvaccinated for nearly a year, carrying a maximum penalty of $2,000 per student per day

Courts
February 22, 2024

Fraudster Eli Weinstein indicted again, three years after rabbis lobbied Trump on his behalf

Weinstein and his business associate Aryeh Bromberg allegedly ran another Ponzi scheme targeting fellow Lakewood Haredim and others

Yeshivas
February 22, 2024

New Agudah billboards suggest Haredi yeshivas teach children to be proud Americans

In the latest installment in its ongoing “KnowUs” campaign, Agudah’s ads over Times Square and several New York City highways say yeshivas won’t teach boys to “hate America”

Israel
February 21, 2024

Survey: Majority of Haredim approve of Netanyahu, want Gazans expelled

New survey finds a majority of Haredim approve of Israel’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war and want to see Israel take over Gaza after the war

Education
February 20, 2024

YAFFED seeks funding to offer Haredi teens and young adults a high school equivalency program

The proposed program would be “culturally responsive,” such as gender-segregated classes and a schedule that accommodates Jewish holidays

Monsey
February 16, 2024

Five-year-old Hasidic girl in Monsey struck and killed by a Satmar school bus

Local activist Steve White said Ramapo school bus drivers often speed and use their phones while driving

Antisemitism
February 15, 2024

NYS Attorney General Letitia James meets with Rockland Haredi leaders to discuss antisemitism, mental health

“Because of your leadership,” said Mona Montal, Ramapo town supervisor’s Chief of Staff, "we can stand proud and say, ‘We’re not afraid to be Jewish.’”

Elections
February 14, 2024

Tom Suozzi, a Democrat with ties to Haredi leaders, wins former congressman Santos’s seat

Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip, an Orthodox Jew, to represent a district that includes parts of Queens and Long Island

Shtetl serves as a free press for the Haredi community. Shtetl reports on news, politics, religion, culture and other topics that are relevant to the Haredi community in New York and beyond.
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